PONDA: Praying for a long and happy life for their husbands, Savashins (Hindu married women) from across Ponda taluka celebrated Vadachi Punav or Vat Purnima on Friday.
The women performed the ritual of winding the white-coloured raw thread around the trunk of the Banyan trees at the annual festival. Vat means banyan tree and on the occasion of Vat Purnima, these married women worship the banyan tree, where a priest performs a special pooja.
The newly-married women received gifts in the form of Voze from their parents to celebrate the festival. On this day the women observe fast and worship the banyan tree.
The women from Kavlem and Tapobhumi Padmnabh Sampraday celebrated the festival at Galashirem-Kavlem.
Sharing their thoughts on the significance of the banyan tree and the rituals performed during the festival, the women speaking to O Heraldo, said, “The banyan trees produce oxygen. We show our respect to the tree in the form of poojas and by performing the ritual of winding the white-coloured raw thread around the trunk of the Banyan trees.”